Lest We Forget

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, or Veteran's Day in the U.S. It is a day where we remember the acts of service and sacrifice of those who served in war. We look back and the hardships that they faced and that many still face today, and pay our respects to them. At 11:11 am, we have a moment of silence, to commemorate the dead and appreciate all that was sacrificed so that we may live in the freedom that we do today.

In every elementary or high school around the country, it is customary to read the poem In Flander's Fields, written in World War I by Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3rd 1915. The opening line of the song references poppies growing in Flander's Fields, in the cemeteries of the fallen soldiers. They have since come to represent the blood that was shed and serve as a physical reminder of the past.

In the six grade I was in choir and we sang a version of this poem of a Remembrance Day assembly. I still remember it and sing it every year. I invite to listen to another version of the poem, sung beautifully by The Queen's University Choral Ensemble and arranged by Elanor Daley.

Lest We Forget.

The Rumbling Tummy Syndrome

Definition: an uneasy and noisy sensation due to a lack of food and meal planning

Symptoms:
- loud stomach growls
- clutching of the stomach
- headaches and/or dizziness
- the shuffling of papers/feet or the scraping of chairs in an attempt to cleverly disguise the loud growls

When it appears:
- in quiet classrooms while writing midterms
- studying at the library
- in a silent computer lab
- during a tutorial while you are answering a question
- any inopportune/inappropriate moment that serves to embarrass you

If only I could eat this daily :(

Remedies:
- walk around with granola bars - they can help fend off the rumbles temporarily
- EAT BREAKFAST!!!
- always have money for food or bring lunch (keep a map of microwave locations campus-wide)

 Additional Information:
This syndrome has affected countless university and high school students alike - and still continues to do so. Although it is easy to combat - just follow the remedies. But remember, paper is noisy so use it to your advantage; too much feet shuffling looks like you have to go pee. Good luck and get well soon!


*Note: I'm not a doctor ;)

A definite lack of passion

I've been thinking a lot about where I want to go in life. When you're in university/college, these questions come up a lot. The following conversation is one I seem to have at least once a week, when I meet someone new:

Me: Oh, so what are you studying?
Person: (with passion and commitment) International relations and peace and equity studies. I think I want to go into law or join a NGO. How about you? What are you studying?
Me: Languages. French and Spanish.
Person: Oh that's so cool! I wish I knew another language. I did french in high school but never continued with it. (everyone says that!!) So what do you want to do? Become a translator?
Me: I have absolutely no clue...
Person: Oh. Well with languages you can do anything! (trust me, saying that doesn't help, it just makes me more confused.)

It seems that so many people around me know what they want to do, or even if they don't, they have a passion for something. It can be really discouraging because it makes me question myself. Why am I studying what I'm studying? Do I even like it? What do I want to do in life? People keep telling me that I have time or that an undergraduate degree doesn't even matter. It's your masters and doctorate that are important. But I disagree. I'm sure from you're position as an older student, a professor or a counselor, you can look back at these times in your life and say things like that. But as a student who is lost and confused and unsure about what she wants to do, those words do not bring any comfort. I feel like I don't have time - like it's too late to change my field of study, if I was even sure of what I wanted to do.

There are things I regret doing, such as putting myself in a small little box first year, convinced of what I knew and unwilling to try different things. But now that I'm at a new school things have changed. The atmosphere is charged with potential and drive, a need to succeed and the desire to be the best. It puts pressure on you, not only to achieve but also to enjoy what you are doing while you are struggling to do it.

At some point in my life, ever since kindergarten, I have known what I wanted to do with my life. In my years after preschool, I endeavored to become an ocean floor geologist, despite the fact that I couldn't (and still can't) swim. I think I learned the word from the Magic School Bus, because "ocean floor geologist" is not common vocabulary for a 5 year-old. In elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher, modeled after all the great teachers I had. I would be the cool teacher who would let her students eat soup in class, go on lots of field trips and watch Bill Nye the Science guy every day. The 6th and 7th grade sparked a change, where I got more creative and started designing things. Then, my goal was either to be a fashion designer or interior decorator. But as I continued to age, reality caught up with me and my plans changed. After picking up French relatively quickly in high school and Spanish a few years later, I thought, well hey! I seem to be good with languages, why not make it a career. But it's harder than you think when you're not immersed in a native speaking environment.

This uncertainty is new to me and it's a feeling that I don't enjoy. Let's say I hate it. Hate it. It's a strong word for a strong feeling. I'm not sure how to go about tackling this feeling but I hope that the future brings with some certainty, clarity, and optimism, as well as a way for me to discover my true passions.

Have you found something you truly enjoy in life?

The Loss of a Great Leader: Jack Layton ♥

At 4:45 am on Monday August 22nd, 2011, New Democrat Party Leader and amazing politician Jack Layton, passed away from his battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.

Mr. Layton was a well-respected man who was admired by many for his dedication to his party, his ideals and the improvement of Canadian society. Always seen with a smile on his face and a positive spirit, he was a leader for many and an example to all. His easy going, energetic nature was well known as was his commitment to making Canada the very best it could be.

Before he was a member of federal politics, he was a city councilor in Toronto where he became well known for his social advocacy and forward thinking ideas. He tackled topics like homelessness, food banks, smoking, cycling, and AIDS in a time when many subjects were still taboo. Alongside his wife, NDP member Olivia Chow, he worked hard to make sure community and social justice issues were always addressed. He carried this same passion with him as he rose in politics to become the leader of the official opposition party, the highest the NDP has ever been.

Weeks ago it was announced that Mr. Layton's cancer had returned, afters years of being cancer free. An interim leader for the party was announced and a statement was released saying Layton would not be returning when caucus resumed in the fall. But to be honest, I thought he would beat the cancer. The idea that he would not make it through never crossed my mind once so his death came as quite a shock.

I've been watching the news and the public response is very touching. Many reporters have met him over the years and a similar theme has come across as they tell their stories: his honesty and friendliness. People have been gathering at Parliament Hill placing flowers and notes of gratitude and sadness on the centennial flame. People all over the country, no matter their political background, are in mourning for the loss of a great man.

Before he passed, he wrote a letter to the public. It can be found here. This is an exert of the last few paragraphs:

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, family and friends and may Jack Layton rest in peace. ♥